Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

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All of us Disney fans know who Walt Disney is. But it seems to me that many of the younger generations have little knowledge about him and his accomplishments. Heck, a lot of them probably would not even know who he is unless you brink up stuff like the Disney Channel, VMK, Disneyland, and Mickey Mouse.

So with the rising of newer generations of children, do you think the image of Walt Disney is currently fading away into Yesterland?

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

Like most things in life, we must teach our children the things we think are important. My two boys, 10 and 6, diffinitly know who Walt is, because I told them all about him.

I don't think the image of Walt Disney is fading away. Because of Disneyland, he will live forever. But it wouldn't hurt to bring him up in conversation every now and again and to tell children about him when the opportunity arrises.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

I've noticed that too, I have asked several people at my school if they know who Walt Disney is or happened to mention them in one of my sentences and they respond something like this: "hey Walt Disney, is he that guy who built that place in california?" and I get all kinds of dumb answers, some don't even know who he is.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

Originally Posted by FantasyWatersDude

I've noticed that too, I have asked several people at my school if they know who Walt Disney is or happened to mention them in one of my sentences and they respond something like this: "hey Walt Disney, is he that guy who built that place in california?" and I get all kinds of dumb answers, some don't even know who he is.

I see the point, but by the same token there are schoolkids who can't tell George Washington from George Bush to George of the Jungle. Some kids also can't find California on a map.

Still, this is a point addressed by Diane Disney-Miller in an interview with Leonard Maltin on the newest Disney Treasures DVD, that to a lot of folks now the name Disney is just something that's part of the company logo.

It's up to all of us to keep Walt's memory and legacy alive, and I think the company could do more to than end as well.

--Barry

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

People really don't know what he looks like anymore, I've learned. Most seem to think that the statue of Roy and Minnie at Magic Kingdom is Walt. Sad, really, especially when they think he's also the one in the Partners Statue (which at least they're right about).

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

Originally Posted by FrumiousBoojum

People really don't know what he looks like anymore, I've learned. Most seem to think that the statue of Roy and Minnie at Magic Kingdom is Walt. Sad, really, especially when they think he's also the one in the Partners Statue (which at least they're right about).

Is this the statue that is in the hub at MK? Because I thought that was an exact duplicate of the Walt/Mickey statue at DL?

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

At Magic Kingdom, they have the same statue in the hub as Disneyland. However, in honour of Roy O. Disney's contribution to taking over and seeing WDW to opening, there's a statue of Roy on a bench seated next to Minnie Mouse. It's a bit more hidden, a little more out of the way. Easy to miss for most people. But it pretty much is a good show of the characters: Walt the prominent frontman, Roy the behind-the-scenes man that stayed out of the public eye. In some ways, I like the Roy statue better. For one thing, you can actually go up to it and sit down in between Roy and Minnie.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

I see the point, but by the same token there are schoolkids who can't tell George Washington from George Bush to George of the Jungle. Some kids also can't find California on a map.

Still, this is a point addressed by Diane Disney-Miller in an interview with Leonard Maltin on the newest Disney Treasures DVD, that to a lot of folks now the name Disney is just something that's part of the company logo.

It's up to all of us to keep Walt's memory and legacy alive, and I think the company could do more to than end as well.

--Barry

EXACTLY! These days people only see Disney as a company and don't even know it's history. It's one reason why I wish Disney Channel would air some of the classic Disneyland shows again on television.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

I hate to say it, but I think most people view the name Disney as a giant corporation these days. Not to say that the founders image is beginning to fade, as I feel that Walt Disney himself gave so much to our world that he will never completely just disapper. However, a majority of non-Disney fans do look at Disney as just another company in our capatilistic world. I've made it a pretty damn good notion to try and at least educate them about the companies beginnings and what it has given to the world or entertainment and engineering.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

Originally Posted by Disney Wrassler

All of us Disney fans know who Walt Disney is. But it seems to me that many of the younger generations have little knowledge about him and his accomplishments. Heck, a lot of them probably would not even know who he is unless you brink up stuff like the Disney Channel, VMK, Disneyland, and Mickey Mouse.

So with the rising of newer generations of children, do you think the image of Walt Disney is currently fading away into Yesterland?

Sadly, I think you are correct. Many just see the name "DISNEY" as a corporation or a 'brand' - they forget that there was a family named "DISNEY" and it was an empire created by them.

Re: Is Walt Disney becoming a forgotten figure?

Sadly, I think you are correct. Many just see the name "DISNEY" as a corporation or a 'brand' - they forget that there was a family named "DISNEY" and it was an empire created by them.

How can people, today, be educated in this?

I think one way is for Disney to do a big push involving Walt Disney and the history of the company. It would be neat if they also aired his shows again on Disney channel. Thankfully with the Disney Treasure releases we can purchase shows that showcase Walt and his creations and show them to the young ones around us. But it's definatly the parents, family and friends that are the most influential at teaching the children about Walt Disney. I think many of the young kids would find information about Walt and his creations to be quite interesting.